JuJu Watkins faces challenges from 5 rising stars in march madness

March Madness promises to deliver thrilling moments, with every team having a shot and numerous stars ready to shine. Among them, JuJu Watkins of the USC Trojans stands out as one of the favorites, but her supremacy could be overshadowed by other talented players with immense potential.

In fact, several women in the NCAA are making headlines. JuJu Watkins won’t have an easy ride this tournament, as other exceptional players will step up to test the star’s dominance.

JuJu Watkins faces fierce competition

It’s no secret that JuJu Watkins is one of the brightest stars in NCAA women’s basketball. As a key figure for the Trojans, she’s an unstoppable force and a powerful scorer who commands the court with total control.

However, March Madness will test her as others vie for the spotlight. Watkins isn’t the only one capable of making a significant impact on the court. Several players are determined to shake things up and steal the show.

The challengers to watch in march madness

Like JuJu Watkins, Mikayla Blakes is a player with incredible potential. Known for breaking through opponents’ defenses, Blakes made waves by scoring an astonishing 55 points in a nail-biting game against Auburn. This achievement set an NCAA record for freshmen. She also averages an impressive 23.2 points per game.

pic.twitter.com/W3TWSheDoY

— Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) February 16, 2025

Another player who could rival JuJu Watkins is Paige Bueckers from UConn. Bueckers is reaching an exceptional level, with her stats placing her among the best. She’s quick, rarely makes mistakes, and excels under pressure. Additionally, she has a strong fan following, making her a favorite to watch.

 

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Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson is another contender who could overshadow Juju Watkins. Latson is the nation’s top scorer, averaging 24.9 points per game. She’s the centerpiece of her team and their offensive engine, making her a force to be reckoned with.

Ta’Niya Latson is making HISTORY. 📖🏀

She leads the highest-scoring Power 4 offense (87.2 PPG) and is the nation’s top scorer (24.9 PPG) 🔥

✅ Fastest to 2,000 points in FSU history
✅ 2nd all-time in scoring (2,037 points)
✅ Program record 500 free throws made
✅… pic.twitter.com/WHnTcMQBSM

— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) March 17, 2025

More contenders with potential

Also in the spotlight is Harmoni Turner from Harvard. Turner showcases skills on par with JuJu Watkins. While she’s often labeled as an average star, her recent performances have elevated her status. For instance, she scored 44 points against Princeton, breaking her own record and helping Harvard secure its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2007.

That quick release by Harmoni Turner will never get old. Does a great job coming off screens and shooting with confidence once she catches the ball pic.twitter.com/OBfXEraXkf

— Nick Andre (@NickAndreATR) March 17, 2025

Another name to watch is Hailey Van Lith from TCU. After a challenging season with LSU, Van Lith is back in form. She averages 17.9 points per game, and fans are expecting big things from her this year.

 

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These five players join JuJu Watkins to complete the star-studded lineup for March Madness. Any one of them could upset predictions and steal the spotlight in this year’s tournament.